Seeking Jesus First Feb. 19, 2025
Spiritual Maturity - Part Three
What are some key aspects of sonship or “the adoption as sons” as it pertains to spiritual maturity?
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Romans 8:14–17, NKJV)
A person who is walking in the maturity of sonship is led by the Spirit of God. He is not led by his flesh nor by the mind of the flesh. Being led by the Spirit of God implies a deep relationship with, and reliance on, the Spirit of God. Jesus said that His disciples would know The Holy Spirit and that He would be with us and in us. “Know” means to intimately experience. Being with us and in us would definitely relate to both a spiritual and a physical experience with Him.
Being led by The Spirit of God also implies a high degree of faith because fear is left behind. A son who is led by Holy Spirit is not in bondage to the fear of man nor to the fear of the devil.
Holy Spirit is in us constantly bearing witness with us that we are in Christ Jesus. We have a constant inner knowing that we are God’s sons, heirs and co-heirs with Christ Jesus. “But you have an anointing (unction or inner knowing and empowerment) from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.” (1 John 2:20–21, NKJV) Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and Holiness and He will affirm to us what is right.
A son can know all things through Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit leads us through the peace of God which passes all understanding. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:26–27, NKJV)